Venetian blind



Nov. 9, 1943.

G. L. SHERWOOD VENETIAN BLIND Filed Dec. 13, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 9, 1943. G. l.. sHERwooD 2,334,132

VENETIAN BLIND Filed Dec. 13, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT OR.

Nov. 9, 1943. G. L. sHERwooD 2,334,132

VENETIAN BLIND INV ENT OR,

Patented Nov. 9, 1943 2,334,132 vENE'rmN BLIND Glenn L. Sherwood, Benton Harbor, Mich., as-

signor to Haywood Corporation, Bentonarbor, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application December 13, 1941, Serial No. 422,788

9 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved Venetian blind construction. More particularly, it relates to a Venetian blind having an improved head box structure.

It is an object of this invention to 'provide a Venetian blind having a brake of improved design for the tilting mechanism.

` A further object is to provide a Venetian blind having a brake on the tilting mechanism which is released by pulling on either cord operating the tilting mechanism and iS' reapplied automatically when said pull is released.

.Another object is to provide a Venetian blind structure in which the tilting mechanism includes a novel drum and associated gear train.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

It has now been found that the foregoing objects are accomplished by providing the structure shown in the attached drawings which form a part of this specification and in which Figure l is a front elevation of a Venetian blind embodying the features of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical section on the line 2-2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view in perspective of the head box of the blind shown in Figure 1, with a portion of the head box casing lifted away to reveal the arrangement of parts in the head box;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view partly in vertical section approximately on the line 4-4 in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a vertical section on the line 5--5 in Figure 4 Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 but showing the mechanism in another position;

Figure 7 is an enlarged view in perspective of the winding drum for the tilting mechanism;

Figure 8 is an enlarged view in perspective of the principal parts of the brake for the tilting mechanism;

Figure 9 is an enlargedvertical section on the line 9-9 in Figure 3;

Figure 10 is a vertical section in Figure 9; i

Figure 11 is an exploded view in perspective on the une lo-l o of the housings for a `portion ofthe tilting mechanism; and

Figure 12 is an exploded view in perspective of one of the rocking arms of the tilting mechanism and of a support for one of the guide rolls for one of the lifting ropes.

Figure 1 shows a Venetian blind, designated generally 20. having a head box 22, the details of which are more fully illustrated in the other figures. The usual pair of tapes 24 depend from the head box 22 and support slats 28 in the conventional manner by smaller tapes 28, as shown more particularly in Figure 2. Each tape 24 extends from the head box 22 downwardly underneath the heavy lower slat 38, and thence upwardly again into the head box so that both free ends of each tape are located in the head box 22. As is common in Venetian blind constructions, the tapes 24 serve not only to support the slats 28 in'spaced relation but also to tilt the slats 26 in one direction or the other when they are operated 0n by the tilting mechanism described hereinafter.

The head box 22, as is shown clearly in Fig.- ures 2 and 3, is provided with a casing including a pair of longitudinally extending,"generally L-shaped members 32 and 34. As may be seen, the casing member 34 is provided with flanges 36 and 38 along its longitudinally extending free edges which cooperate with the edges of the casing member 32. The ends of the longitudinally extending, hollow casing formed by members 32 and 34 are closed by brackets 40 which are similar in construction although complementary to each other rather than identical. They are described together because of their functional identity but it will be understood that one is a righthand bracket and the other a left, and that they are not interchangeable.

In Figure 3 the head box 22 is shown with the casing member 32 removed in order that the arrangement and location of the parts therewithin may be readily seen. Near the left-hand end of the head box 22, as shown in this figure, a gear housing 12 is secured to the bottom portion of the casing member 34 by suitable fastening means. such as, for example, self-tapping screws 14 extending `up through an opening in the member 34 and threaded into a flange 16 provided on gear housing 12. As best seen in Figures 4 and ll, gear housing 12 includes a vertically-extending plate 18, on the lower edge of which the flange 16 is formed. The remainder of the gear housing 12 is provided by another 'plate including a vertically-extending portion 80,

a, horizontally-extending portion 82 forming the top of the gear housing, and a downwardlyextending flange portion 84 which is secured to the plate 18 by a suitable means such as, for example, welding.

The wall of gear housing 12, in cooperation with generally L-shaped, sheet metal member 88, forms another housing 88. As may be seen in Figure 4, the horizontal portion of the L-shaped member 86 overlies the top 82 of the gear houslng 12 and is secured thereto by any suitable means, such as self-tapping screws .90.

Rotatably mounted within the housing 88 is a drum 92 which forms a portion of the tilting mechanism. The drum 92 is formed by a pair of complementary members 94 and 96 presenting generally cylindrical surfaces 98 and |00 and provided with annular flanges |02 and |04 on their outer ends. At the inner ends of the cylindrical portions 98 and. |00 the sheet metal forming the portions 94 and 96 extends inwardly towards the axis of the drum 92, thence obliquely downwardly and outwardly toward portions |06 and |08 forming hubs for the drum 92. By forming the drum of sheet metal shaped as shown and described, the drum is given suflicient size and strength and at the same time is kept relatively light, thus contributing to keeping down the over-al1 weight of the blind 20. The members 94 and 96 may be secured together by spotwelding, for example, at two or more points about the abutting inturned portions of members 94 and 96.

Extending through square openings in the hubs |06 and |08 axially of the drum 92 is a square shaft having a bushing ||2 die-cast on one end and another bushing ||4 driven onto the other end. A portion of shaft ||0 projects outwardly beyond bushing ||4 and is riveted over. thereby securing bushingv ||4 on the shaft and also securing the two halves 94 and 96 of the drum together centrally. The annular groove ||5 and complementary die-cast rib ||1 secure bushing ||4 and shaft ||0 against relative axial displacement. As will be apparent, the drum 92 and bushings ||2 and ||4 all turn with shaft ||0, bushings ||2 and H4 serving as bearings for the assembly. These bushings ||2 and ||4 are respectively received in openings ||6 and ||8 formed in the vertical wall 80 and the vertical portion of L-shaped member 86. Bushing ||4 is provided with an annular rib which serves to position the drum centrally within the housing 88. The bushing ||2 has formed integrally therewith on its outer end a gear |22 which projects into the gear housing 12.

Also mounted within the housing 88 is a brake structure consisting of a. brake member |26 and a spring member |28 pivotally mounted upon a pivot pin |30, the opposite ends of which are supported in openings provided in Wall 80 and in the vertical portion of housing member 86. The brake member |26 and spring member |28 are shown in perspective in Figure 8. The brake member 26 includes a generally flat, rectangular body portion |3| provided at its rear end with an upwardly extending flange |32. The brake member |26, forwardly of the generally at body |3I, curves downwardly and terminates in a guide member |34 formed by turning inwardly portions of the stock from which the brake member |26 is formed. This guide member |34 narrows gradually from the inner end toward the outer end. The free inner edge |36 of the guide member |34 and the bottom |38 and sides |40 of the outer edge are flared outwardly as shown to avoid wear on the tilting ropes |42 and 44 which extend through this guide member |34, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

Generally centrally of the rear of the brake member |26 an opening |46 is provided which extends into both the body portion |3| and the ange |32. The spring member |28 is formed of a. relatively long narrow strip of suitable thin metallic material bent upwardly at its rear end. as at |48. and then laterally, as at |68.

In assembling the brake structure |24 the spring member |28 is positioned with the portions |48 and |50 extending in the opening |46 in the brake member |26 and with the pivot pin |30 positioned between the spring member |28 and the brake member |26, as is clearly shown in both Figures 5 and 6. The body portion |62 of spring member |28 then extends underneath the body of brake member |26 and outwardly beyond the downwardly curved portion thereof, terminating under the guide portion |34.

Also, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the brake member |26 and the spring member |28 extend outside the housing of the head box 22 through an opening |54 provided in the bottom portion of casing member 34 adjacent the forward edge thereof. The effective size of this opening is further increased by deforming the flange 36 outwardly, as at |56, adjacent the opening |54 (see Figures 3 and 5). The deformation at |56 is made great enough and the opening at |54 large enough to permit the brake member |26 to pivot through a small angle about the pivot |30, and

the brake structure |24 is so arranged that the body portion |3| of the brake member |26 may pivot upwardly far enough to press with appreciable force against the tilting cords |42 and |44 wound on the drum 92 between the flanges |02 and |04 which serve to retain them on the drum 92. As shown in Figure 5, the brake member |26 is arranged so that the cords |42 and |44 are pressed between the body |3| and the cylindrical surface of the drum 92 at |58 when the brake member is in its uppermost position, as shown in Figure 5. It will also be observed that the rear edge of opening |54 is engaged by the spring member |28, which latter is thus put under tension and in turn tends at all times to force brake member |26 upwardly toward the drum 92, as is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.

The drum 92, which operates the tilting mechanism in the manner hereinafter described, is itself operated by the tilting cords |42 and |44 above referred to. A circular opening |60 through the cylindrical surface of drum 92 is provided adjacent each of the flanges |02 and |04. The upper ends of the tilting cords |42 and |44 are each extended through these openings |60 and knotted or otherwise secured interiorly of drum 92, as shown at |64 in Figure 4. As is indicated in Figures 4 and 7, the cords |42 and |44 are then wound about the cylindrical surface of drum 92 in opposite directions and in a single layer progressing inwardly toward the center until they meet, a substantially equal length of each of the cords being wound about the drum. 'I'he free ends of cords |42 and |44 extend from the drum through the guide member |34 and outwardly of the head box 22. As shown in Figure l, the free ends of cords |42 and |44 then hang downwardly in front of the slats 26, terminating at a point where they are conveniently accessible and being provided with grips |86 on their lower ends.

To assist in retaining the cords |42 and |44 in place on the drum 92, a guard |68 is provided which extends across in front of drum 92. The portion |10 o f guard |68 extending in front of drum 92 is curved vertically, as best seen in Figures 5 and 6. An inturned portion |12 is provided on the right-hand end of the guard which lies along the vertical wall and is Secured thereto as, for example. by welding, to support the guard |68 in place.

'The drum 92 drives the main shaft |14 of the tilting mechanism through a reducing gear train located within the housing 12 adjacent the drum housing 88. The gear |22, which is integral with bushing ||2 and turns with the drum 82, has already been referred to above. This gear |22 meshes with and turns a larger gear |18 which is formed integral with another small gear |18, as, for example, by die-casting the two as a unit. The integral gears |16 and |18 are mounted on a pin |80, which is provided with a round head |82 and is in turn supported in a pair of aligned openings in walls 18 and 80. Pin |80 is positionedwith its round head |82 located in drum housing 88 and, as indicated in Figure 5, flange |02 extends over head |82 sufficiently to prevent dislodgement of pin |80 so long as drum 92 is in place. A small boss |84, also formed integral with gears |18 and |18, extends axially out beyond the end face of gear |18 and serves to space gear |16 from wall 80. The small gear |18 in turn drives a large gear |88 which is preferably an integral part of a bushing |88 which may also be formed by die-casting.

The bushing |88 is mounted to rotate in an opening |90 formed in the wall 18 which serves as a bearing therefor. A portion of the bushing |88 extends outside the gear housing and is drilled, as at |92, to receive a Cotter-pin |94. The cotter-pin |94 extends through the square shaft |14 and secures the latter in the square opening |98 formed in the bushing |88 so that the shaft |14 turns with the bushing |88. Shaft |14 is, however, freely received within the opening |96 and when the Cotter-pin |94 is withdrawn the shaft l|14 may then be readily removed. The amount of reduction accomplished in the gear train just described may vary, as desired. It has been found, however, that satisfactory results are obtained if the gears |22 and |18 each have eight teeth, and the gears |16 and |88 each have twenty-four teeth, giving a reduction of six to one.

The end of shaft |14 opposite that supported through the bushing |88 is journaled in a circular opening |98 formed in vertically extending panel 200 having a ange 202 formed on the bottom thereof. The panel 200 is secured in place by fastening units, such as self-tapping screws 204, extending upwardly through the lower wall of casing member 34 and threaded into the flange 202.

Mounted on the square shaft |14 between the bushing |88 and the panel 200 is a pair of tilting frames 206. The number of these frames may be increased Where the blind is fairly wide and additional tapes are necessary to adequately support the slats. As is best seen in Figure 15, these frames include a generally square base 208 provided with vertically extending anges 2|0, 2|2, 2|4 and 2|6. A generally square opening 2|8 is provided centrally in the base for a purpose which will become more apparent hereinafter.

Centrally of the anges 2|0 and 2|4 adjacent the base 208 opposite square openings 220 and 222 are provided through which shaft |14 extends. The openings 220 and 222 are just large enough to receive the shaft |14 and accordingly the frames 208 turn with the shaft |14. On either side of the shaft |14 adjacent the flanges 2|0 and 2|4 the edges of the opening 2|8 are struck up, as at 224, for strengthening purposes.

. As may be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the opposite ends of each tape 24 are "secured to the opposite sides of a tilting frame 208. To this end the extremities of the tape are folded back upon themselves, as is clearly shown in Figure 2 at 228, and the folded portions are secured together with staples 228 (Figure 3) or by any other means, thereby providing a loop 230 through which a pin 232 is extended, the ends of which are received in a pair of openingsl 234, one of whichds formed in s each of anges 2|0 and 2|4. The opposite ends of the pins 232 extending through the openings 234 are bent intoward the flanges 2|0 and 2|4, thereby securing the pins in place. As may be seen'in Figure 2, the tapes extend into the frame 206 over the flanges 2 |2 and 2|8, thereby decreasing the pull exerted on the pins 232. Openings 235 are provided in the horizontal portion of casing member 34 adjacent the front and rear edges thereof underneath each of the tilting frames 206 to provide means for the tapes 24 to extend into the head box 22.

.Also supported on the shaft |14 is a pair of saddles 236 (the number may be varied, as desired, as will appear hereinafter). These saddles 236 are not arranged to rotate with the shaft |14 but instead are intended to remain relatively stationary as the shaft is turned. As best seen in Figure 12, the saddles 238 are provided with a curved upper portion 238 through which the shaft extends and which permits them to remain relatively stationary as the shaft is turned. Below this curved portion the saddles flare outwardly on either side, as at 240, below which relatively straight side portions 242 are provided, the bottoms of which curve slightly outwardly. Adjacent the right-hand end of each saddle member 238 a pair of oppositely disposed openings 244 is provided in the relatively straight portions 242. Extending through these openings a shaft 248 is provided with a head 248 on one end and riveted over on the other end at 250, thereby `securing it in place. Rotatably mounted on this shaft 246 between the vertical sides 242 of the saddle 238 is a pulley 252. The purpose of the opening 2|8 in the tilting frame 208 is now apparent. As may be seen in Figures 2 and 9, the saddle 238 extends down through this opening. The openi'ng is wide enough so that the frames 206 may be tilted to a substantial angle without bringing the front or rear edge of the opening 2|8 into contact with the saddle 236.

To raise and lower the blind 20 a pair of lifting cords 254 and 258 is provided. To render these cords as inconspicuous as possible they are preferably centered with respect to tapes 24. To this end an opening 258 is formed in the heavy lower slat 30 midway between the edges of each tape 24 where the tape passes around the lower slat 30. As clearly shown in Figure 2, each opening 258 is enlarged at its lower end, as at 260, this enlarged lower end being covered over by the tape 24 in the completed structure.

The lifting cords 254 and 258 extend down into the openings 258 and are knotted on their lower ends, as at 282, the knots being positioned in the large lower opening and engaging the shoulders provided by the reduced diameter of the upper portion 258. As is apparent, by this means the cords 254 and 258 when pulled up raise the heavy lower slat 30 and ultimately the whole slat structure of the Venetian blind.

Vertically above the opening 258 openings 284 are provided in each of the slats 26, and the tapes 254 and 256 extend up through these openings 264, thence through openings 266 in the horizontal portion of casing member 34, and over the guide pulleys 252, as indicated in Figures 2, 4 and 9.

Returning again to the lifting c ords 254 and 256, it will be seen that cord 256, after passing over its guide pulley 252, extends to the right over the second guide pulley 252 where it joins cord 254. Both cords then pass through an opening 212 formed in the panel 200. Carried on the right-hand face of panel 200 in alignment with the opening 212 is housing 214 through which the lifting cords 254 and 256 are guided and in which a locking pawl assembly is provided which serves as a releasable brake for the lifting cords.

As shown in Figure the lower end of the housing 214 extends outwardly of the head box 22 through an opening 286 provided adjacent the forward edge of the horizontal portion of casing member 34, the metal forming the flange 36 being deformed, as at 288, to permit the housing 214 to extend forwardly with respect to headbox 22. The extreme lower end of the housing 214 is also curved outwardly, as at 290, to avoid wear on the lifting cords 254 and 256 and to Igive a more pleasing appearance.

Below the housing 214 the two cords 254 and 256 are joined together and in reality constitute a single cord, as indicated at 3|!) in Figure 1. To hold the cords 254 and 256 together between the point where they join at 3|0 and the housing 214, a buckle-like member 3|2 is provided which has a central opening 3|4 divided into two parts by a bar 3|6. The cords pass into the buckle-like member 3|2 through one-half of the opening 3|4, thence over the bar and out the other half, leaving on the same side on which they enter in the usual manner.

The blind is tilted by operating the cords |42 and |44. Depending on which of these cords is pulled, the drum 92 rotates in one direction or the other, and through the gears in housing 12 turns shaft |14 in a corresponding direction. The one cord is wound on drum 92 as the other is unwound so that the drum is readily adjusted to any desired position. It may be readily observed, particularly in Figures 2, 5 and 6, that any downward pull on either cord |42 or |44 will also pull down brake |26, drawing it away from cords- |42 and |44 on drum 92, and that upon release of the pull the brake |26 will be returned to braking by the action of spring |28. As shaft |14 turns one side of each tilting frame 206 will be raised and the other lowered, thus raising one end of each tape 24 and lowering the other, tilting slats 26 in the usual manner.

There are many advantages and improved features embodied in the Venetian blind which forms the subjectY of this invention. The brake structure is new and decidedly advantageous, for example. The arrangement by which the brake is released and applied by any normal pull on the tilting cords to tilt the blind is a distinct improvement ove structures heretofore known. The application of the brake member to the cords on the drum gives an extensive braking surface, and the lack of any necessity for pulling the cords in a particular manner or taking any other action to release the brake is a distinct improvement. 'I'he brake structure is at the same time extremely simple and involves a combining of functions in a single part'snce the brake member also serves as a guide for the tilting cords.

Other advantages will be apparent from the foregoing description. Suitable materials of.

constructions may be readily selected by those skilled in the art. The blind is particularly designed to be fabricated largely of metal, particularly sheet metal, thereby providing strength, lightness and simplicity.

It is apparent that many widely different embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore it is not intended to be limited except as indicated in the appended claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A Venetian blind structure comprising in combination means for tilting the blind including actuating means, means for normally braking said tilting means, and means operated by movement of said actuating means to tilt said blind for releasing said braking means.

2. A Venetian blind structure comprising in combination means for tilting the blind, pivotally mounted brake means resiliently urged about its pivot point radially inwardly against a rotatable portion of said tilting means and means actuated by a pull on said cord for releasing said brake means.

3. A Venetian blind structure comprising in combination means for tilting the blind, including a drum about which a tilting cord is wound, and pivotally mounted brake means resiliently urged about its pivot point to press the rope against said drum, and means for shifting said brake means away from said drum to release said cord, said means being actuated by the pull necessarily exerted on the tilting cord during the tilting of' the blind, and said brake means retuzining to braking position upon release of said pu l.

4. A Venetian blind structure comprising in combination means for tilting the blind, including a drum about which tilting cords are oppositely wound and to which one end of each of Said cords is secured, and pivotally mounted brake means extending beneath said drum and resiliently urged about its pivot radially inwardly against said cords on said drum, said brake means being engaged by the tilting cords extending from said drum downwardly whereby a pull on either cord shifts said brake means away from the-cords on said drum thereby releasing the brake, and whereby said brake means returns to braking position upon release of said pull.

5. A Venetian blind structure comprising in combination means for tilting the blind, including a drum about which tilting cords are oppositely wound and to which one end of each of said cords is secured, a pivotally mounted brake member having an extensive braking surface extending beneath said drum and underlying a plurality of turns of said cords on said drum, and means resiliently urging said brake member about its pivot radially inwardly against said cords on said drum, said braking member being pivotally mounted rearwardly of the axis of said combination means for tilting the blind. including a drum about which tilting cords are oppositely wound and to which one end of each of said cords is secured, a pivotally mounted brake member having an extensive braking surface extending beneath said drum and underlying a plurality of turns of said cords on said drum, and means resiliently urging said brake member about its pivot radially inwardly against said cords on said drum, said braking member being pivotally mounted rearwardly of the axis of said drum and extending forwardly of said drum, and said cords extending outwardly from said drum and downwardly over the forward edge of said brake member through a guide formed on the upper surface of said brake member adjacent said forward edge, whereby a pull on either pivots said brake means away from the cords on said drum releasing the brake, and whereby said brake means returns to braking position upon release of said pull.

7. A Venetian blind structure comprising means for tilting the blind, a head box, including a drum rotatably mounted in said head box on a horizontal axis extending longitudinally thereof and about which drum tilting cords are oppositely wound and to which one end of each of said cords is secured, a brake member pivotally mounted on an axis parallel to said drum axis and having an extensive braking surface extending beneath said drum and underlying a plurality of turns of said cords on said drum, and means resiliently urging said rbrake member about its pivot radially inwardly against said cords on said drum, said pivot for said brake member being located below and to the rear of said drum axis, said brake extending forwardly of said drum adjacent the lower front edge of said head box, and said cords extending forwardly from said drum and downwardly out of said head box over the forward edge of said brake member through guide means formed on the top surface of the forward end of said brake member whereby a pull on either pivots said brake means away from the cords on said drum releasing the brake, and whereby said brake means returns to braking position upon release of said pull.

8. A Venetian blind structure comprising in combination, a head box, slat tilting means therein including a longitudinally supported shaft mounted for rotation in said head box, means for turning said shaft comprising a drum rotatably mounted in said head box at one end thereof, tilting cords reversely wound upon and attached to said drum, said cords depending from said head box in position to be pulled to turn said shaft, said drum comprising a sheet metal rim portion having integral radially extending webs, spaced bearings secured to said webs, a relatively short shaft mounted in said bearings and turnable therewith, one of said 'bearings having a lateral extension provided with integral gear teeth, said 'longitudinal shaft having a bushing affixed to one end thereof, said bushing including a toothed portion and intermeshing reducing gearing between said toothed portion and the teeth on said first mentioned shaft.

9. In a Venetian blind structure in combination with a head box and slat tilting mechanism mounted thereon including a rotatable shaft mounted in said head box for tilting said siat tilting mechanism, a drum turnably mounted in said head rbox, said drum comprising a pair of complementary members having cylindrical surfaces and provided with annular anges at their outer ends, the inner ends of the cylindrical surfaces being formed of sheet metal and having portions extending inwardly toward the axis of the drum thence obliquely radially inwardly to form hub portions for the drum, said complementary members being spot welded together in abutting relationship, said hub portions having polygonal openings and a polygonal shaped shaft in said openings and provided with a bushing die cast on one end thereof, the opposite end of said shaft having a bushing, supporting means in the box for supporting said bushings, means on said die cast bushing and said shaft for securing the same against relative axial displacement, said die cast bushing having integrally formed therewith on its outer end a gear extending adjacent but spaced from the end of said longitudinal shaft, a second bushing on said adjacent end of said longitudinal shaft, said bushing having gear teeth thereon and gearing intermeshing with said gear teeth and the gear on the drum shaft, said cylindrical sheet metal portion of said drum having openings therein and a pair of cords reversely wound on said drinn with their inner ends passing vthrough said openings. said cords having means for holding said ends from detachment from said openings, said cords passing outwardly through said head box.

GLENN L. SHERWOOD. 

